H.hodgsoni is very similar
to H. brachyur, though the crest is said to be lower( an aged linked
character) and the quills often have a wider black band than in brachyura,
(although this may be an individual variable character) The nasals are
comparatively large being 55.6 of the occipitonasal length. The sagittal crest
is well developed.

Range Description:

This species ranges from Nepal,
through north-eastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal, Manipur,
Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland) (Moluret
al.2005), to central and
southern China (Xizang, Hainan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Hunnan,
Guangxi, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Fujian, Jianxi, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu,
Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Gansu) (Smith and Xie 2008), throughout Myanmar,
Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam,
through Peninsular Malaysia, to Singapore, Sumatra (Indonesia) and throughout
Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei). It is also present on the island of
Penang, Malaysia. It can be found from sea level to at least 1,300 m asl.

It
can be found in various forest habitats up to about 1000 m elevation. It builds
large burrows with more than one entrance in clay banks or amongst boulders on
hill or mountain sides. Long , wide runways lead in many directions from the
burrow., and in scrubby, Also found in open areas close to forest. It can be
found in agricultural areas, but needs to have rocky outcrops or other areas in
which it can create a den or dig burrows. Burrows are generally occupied by
family groups. Following a gestation period of about 110 days, two or three
young are born. Two litters may be produced annually. These porcupines can cause
a great deal of damage in plantations. They feed on the inner and outer bark of
trees, and sometimes girdles a tree causing it to die. . They also damage twigs
causing loss of vigour and death to the tree.. When threatened , this species
raises its long quills, rattles its cylindrical quills and also stamps its feet
and snorts. In attack , it hurls itself backwards against its enemy, driving
home some of the quills with great force.. The small compact, mass of short,
solid quills do most of the damage. The longer quills do less damage as
they are less firmly fixed. They have been known to kill large felines with
their quills.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Major Threats:

In Southeast Asia, it is hunted for food but this not thought to impact
populations. In South Asia, it is threatened by habitat loss due to construction
of dams, human settlements and other infrastructure development. It is harvested
for subsistence food and medicinal purposes (Moluret
al.2005).

Conservation Actions:

This species is present in many protected areas. It is known from the following
protected areas in South Asia, Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh in
north-eastern India, Lang Tang National Park in Central Nepal, and Sagarmatha
National Park in Eastern Nepal (Moluret
al.2005).
In South Asia it is protected by Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife Protection
Act.